220-1101 Networking Practice Question
A user can access local network resources but cannot browse the internet. Other users on the same network have no issues. The technician checks the workstation's IP configuration: IP 192.168.1.100, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, default gateway 192.168.1.1, DNS server 192.168.1.1. The workstation successfully pings the default gateway (192.168.1.1). The technician then tries to ping 8.8.8.8 and the ping fails. Which of the following should the technician check NEXT?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume a successful ping to the default gateway means the router is fully functional, but the CompTIA 220-1101 exam specifically tests that routing to external networks requires a properly configured routing table, not just local gateway reachability.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The routing table on the router
Since the workstation can ping the default gateway (192.168.1.1) but cannot ping 8.8.8.8, the issue is beyond the local subnet. This indicates a routing problem, not a local connectivity or DNS issue. The technician should check the router's routing table to ensure there is a default route (0.0.0.0/0) pointing to the ISP or upstream gateway, as the router may not be forwarding traffic to external networks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The switch port configuration
Why it's wrong here
A misconfigured switch port could disrupt local connectivity by placing the workstation in the wrong VLAN or applying incorrect port security, but this is contradicted by the user's ability to access local network resources and successfully ping the gateway at 192.168.1.1. Switches operate at Layer 2 and only forward frames within the local network; they do not make routing decisions for external destinations like 8.8.8.8. Since local Layer 2 communication is functioning correctly, the switch port configuration is not the root cause of the internet connectivity failure.
- ✗
The DNS server settings
Why it's wrong here
DNS server settings convert hostnames to IP addresses, but the technician pinged the public IP 8.8.8.8 directly, which completely bypasses DNS resolution. If DNS were misconfigured, the user would still be able to reach external IP addresses via ping or other IP-based tools, because name resolution is not required for that. The fact that the ping to 8.8.8.8 fails indicates the problem lies elsewhere, such as routing or an upstream firewall, definitively clearing DNS as a contributing factor.
- ✗
The DHCP lease expiration
Why it's wrong here
An expired DHCP lease would typically cause the workstation to lose its IP configuration entirely or fall back to a 169.254.x.x APIPA address, making even local LAN communication impossible. However, this workstation has a valid IP address (192.168.1.100) and can ping the default gateway (192.168.1.1), which proves the DHCP-assigned settings are active and correct. Moreover, DHCP lease expiration only affects the workstation's IP parameters; it has no bearing on whether the router possesses a route to the internet, so it cannot explain the failed external ping.
- ✓
The routing table on the router
Why this is correct
If the router does not have a default route to the internet or has an access control list blocking the workstation's traffic, the workstation would be unable to reach external IPs even though it can reach the local gateway. Checking the router's routing table and firewall rules is the appropriate next step.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1101 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1101 exam.